The Thai charter fleet is overwhelmingly catamarans and the reason is the cruising rather than fashion. The Andaman is a week spent at anchor between limestone islands in light wind and warm water, which is exactly what a catamaran is good at and exactly where a monohull's advantages do not apply.
Catamaran rental Phuket: what it costs
Sunsail states its Phuket sailing holidays start at £1,947 for a 7 day charter off-peak and £3,600 in peak season, flights and spending excluded. The Moorings states a Thailand range from a starting price of $4,899 to $26,999 for a 7 day charter for 2 people. Catamarans sit in the upper part of any such range, as they do everywhere, and here they are most of the fleet rather than a premium option.
Why the catamaran dominates here
Light wind, shallow anchorages and a week spent mostly at rest. A catamaran motors economically on two engines, anchors in less water close to the karsts, and gives a group the deck space that is the actual point of a Thai week. A monohull sails better in the little wind there is and gains almost nothing else, which is why the fleets stock so few.
Sailboat charter Thailand without a skipper: bareboat in Thai waters
Available and common, with a sailing CV rather than a license in most cases, though companies here brief carefully on the tides and the anchorages. Tidal range in Phang Nga Bay is significant and the hongs, the collapsed cave systems inside the islands, are only enterable by dinghy at certain states of tide. That timing is the one piece of planning a Thai week genuinely requires.
What the price excludes
Flights, which are most of the cost of getting here, and spending, as Sunsail states plainly. Beyond that: fuel, which on a catamaran motoring in light air for a week is not trivial; national park fees for the islands, which are charged per person per park; provisioning; and the usual security deposit. Park fees catch people out because they are collected on arrival at each island.
Questions people ask about catamaran charter Thailand
How much is a catamaran charter in Thailand?
Sunsail states Phuket holidays from £1,947 for a 7 day charter off-peak and £3,600 peak; The Moorings states a Thailand range from $4,899 to $26,999 for a 7 day charter for 2. Both read on 11 September 2026.
Why are Thai charter fleets mostly catamarans?
Light wind, shallow anchorages and a week spent mostly at rest. A catamaran motors economically, anchors close in and gives the deck space that is the point of the week.
Can you bareboat charter in Thailand?
Yes, usually on a sailing CV rather than a license. Companies brief the tides carefully because the hongs inside the karst islands are only enterable by dinghy at certain states of tide.
What is not included in a Thai charter price?
Flights and spending, as Sunsail states, plus fuel, national park fees charged per person per park on arrival, provisioning and the security deposit.